In 2021, a local grassroots movement led by State Senator John Lovick resulted in a bill proposing pickleball be named the official state sport. The bill passed the legislature with overwhelming support and was officially signed into law in March 2022 on Bainbridge Island, the birthplace of pickleball. The bill honors the legacy of pickleball’s founders Bill Bell, Barney McCallum, and Joel Pritchard. It has increased awareness of the benefits of physical fitness, the importance of mental health through the forging of new friendships and the advantage of strengthening community bonds through play.
From left: Frank Chiappone (SMPA President), Kate Van Gent (SMPA Director), Senator John Lovick (sponsored SB5615), Chuck Wright (proposed pickleball as the state sport), and Anna Copley (co-founder of Pickleball Central).
Momentum has shifted west. Washington State is now on the pickleball map. Investor and government interest in building dedicated pickleball courts has dramatically increased. Tourists are eager to visit the birthplace of pickleball.
Our state sport of pickleball deserves a state license plate!
The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association and Senator John Lovick are working together to sponsor a pickleball license plate bill. A petition has been created to collect 3,500 signatures from Washington State residents intending to buy a license plate. When this Department of Licensing requirement is met, along with an approved license plate design, the bill will work its way through the legislative process.
You can proudly support the state sport of Washington every day and remind your community and local government leaders that pickleball is here to stay by displaying a pickleball license plate on your vehicle. Help build momentum for more pickleball facilities in your area and throughout Washington. Proceeds from the license plate will support the development of a dedicated pickleball facility.
Please join our effort and sign the petition.
License Plate Design Poll
The license plate draft designs are in! Click on the link to view the designs, vote on your favorite and provide feedback in the license plate design poll.
Are you a graphic designer who is interested in designing the first pickleball license plate in the U.S.?
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Seattle Metro Pickleball Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.